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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Take Off the Mask

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

It seems that many people struggle to be real, acting one way on the outside, and another on the inside. Why? Because we have weaknesses, faults, and fears ~ things about ourselves that we think make us less likable or desirable, we’d rather hide from other people.

The danger of wearing a mask is that it misrepresents who we really are. What other people see is a lie and by the time we reach adulthood, we’ve spent so many years hiding we’ve forgotten those real things about ourselves, the things that make us different and special. What a shame! What a waste!

Each of us is uniquely created by a loving Father who rejoices in our individuality ~ individuality that He gave us! In fact, it is those distinctive things about us, not our “sameness,” that make us special to Him. The little girl with freckles, the young lady with the dimples, the beloved gray-headed grandmother with the sweet smile, they all stand out...they’re special! And we’re special, too!

Sure, we all have flaws. We’re all less than perfect and wish we were better, but we need to know that God loves us just the way we are right now AND His love for us will never diminish.

God desires that we walk in truth, because only the truth will set us free. He will help us to let down the defenses we’ve had up for so long. God knows how badly we want to fit in and be accepted. We have to trust Him to give us favor with people, instead of feeling that we must hide the real us. Learn to live truly by being genuine and real.

Lord God, thank you for setting me free when I put my trust you! I know you love me and that you want me to be who you created me to be. Help me to always trust your ways, In your name I pray, Amen.